FDA Approves the First Digital Pill

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have approved the first digital pill with an embedded sensor to track if and when patients are taking their medication.

The med is a version of Otsuka Pharmaceutical's Abilify for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. The tracking device contained within was developed by Proteus Digital Health.

"The FDA supports the development and use of new technology in prescription drugs and is committed to working with companies to understand how technology might benefit patients and prescribers," said the FDA's Mitchell Mathis.

The pill’s sensor is able to send a message to a wearable patch, which then transmits the information to a mobile app so that patients can track everything on their smartphone. About the size of a grain of salt, the sensor has no battery or antenna and is activated when it gets wet from stomach juices.

Bayer has exercised its option, under a change-in-control clause in the collaboration agreement with Loxo Oncology, to obtain the exclusive licensing rights for the global development and commercialization of two cancer drugs.

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